It had only been minutes since Chloe Kelly captured the nation’s collective heart with the showstopper goal that crowned England as Euros royalty – so she can perhaps be forgiven for letting her emotions run riot as she collected her medal.
The 27-year-old forward bellowed ‘f****** come on!’ into the TV cameras in a less-than-watershed-friendly moment after shaking hands with Prince William and collecting the medal that deemed her and her fellow Lionesses European champions.
After kissing her medal, she rushed the TV camera to let loose – winning over fans watching at home. She was also seen swaggering around the pitch with her team when she shouted: ‘The first time was so nice, we had to do it twice!’
The Lionesses later partied late into the night as they celebrated their second European title on the trot after trouncing Germany 2-1 in 2022.
Their victory was extra sweet – coming after Spain won 1-0 in a closely fought World Cup final two years ago. Fans seemed to agree with Kelly’s ecstatic reaction.
One wrote: ‘Chloe Kelly “F****** come on” Hah. Legend.’
Another posted: ‘Chloe Kelly shaking hands with Prince William then turning to the camera… kissing her winners medal and saying “F****** COME ON” was the standout moment of the Women’s Euros for me.’ They added: ‘#Legend’.
Despite staying up until 4am, some of the team made it to the airport just hours later ahead of a Downing Street reception with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner later this afternoon.
Click here to follow our LIVE coverage as England celebrates yet another Euros victory by the Lionesses.
Football fans have dubbed Lioness Chloe Kelly a ‘legend’ after her emotions got the better of her on live TV
Kelly is seen leaving the team’s hotel in Zurich, Switzerland this morning – with her winners’ medal around her neck
Midfielder Ella Toone’s boyfriend revealed that some in the camp were worse for wear this morning after boozy celebrations with cake, Champagne and karaoke until dawn – but not even that could stop them from smiling as they left the hotel today.
But Kelly looked fresh-faced as she stepped out this morning, a rose in her backpack and her medal still slung around her neck.
The line-up for the team coach was eccentric: star winger Lauren Hemp clutching a Lego set of the castle from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’; captain Leah Williamson grasping the trophy protectively as she clambered aboard.
Michelle Agyemang came out wearing a Nike t-shirt reading ‘IIOME’ – marking the second time the Lionesses have brought football home in just three years.
Hero goalkeeper Hannah Hampton – who saved two penalties in the shootout – was all smiles as she was escorted out of the hotel under an umbrella by a grinning member of staff; perhaps the team’s smiles were that infectious.
It comes after Spanish media hit out at Kelly for her ‘unnecessary’ and ‘cocky’ celebration in front of La Roja stopper Cata Coll after scoring the winning penalty for England.
It came immediately after she had confidently stepped up and dispatched the decisive spot-kick, which secured victory for the Lionesses in the final of the women’s European Championship on Sunday night.
Kelly, who scored the winner in England’s 2022 Euros final win over Germany, ‘unnecessarily’ diverted her path after smashing the ball past Coll before making a gesture in front of the keeper, according to Spanish outlet Diario AS.
In the comment that accompanied a short clip of the climatic moment, published on their website, Kelly’s decision to make a b-line for the England supporters in the corner was deemed ‘cocky’ and uncalled-for.
‘This is unnecessary, my friend: Kelly’s cocky gesture to Cata Coll after scoring the decisive penalty,’ they wrote.
‘The England specialist changed her run during her penalty celebration to get past the goalkeeper she had just beaten.’
Kelly’s introduction part-way through the first half changed the momentum of a game that Spain dominated and looked set to win. The 27-year-old, who – like her Gunners team-mates – adds Euros glory to Champions League success, assisted Alessia Russo’s 57th-minute equaliser after Mariona Caldentey’s 25th-minute opener.
The two sides could not be separated after 120 minutes of action, leading to the dreaded penalty shootout.
England were thankful for the contributions of goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who produced two saves and saw another go wide of the post in the 3-1 shoot-out win.
Celebrating their triumph over Spain in the Euros, the England team lined up to shake hands with Prince William and have their medals place round their necks
The Arsenal winger, who also scored the winner in England’s 2022 Euros final win over Germany , kissed her medal before turning to the camera as she walked away and said: ‘F****** come on!’
The Arsenal star smashed the ball into the top corner past Spain’s Cata Coll to win the Euros
The Arsenal star has been criticised for her celebrations after scoring the winning penalty for England against Spain
The Lionesses successfully defended the historic crown their won at Wembley three years ago
In Diaro AS’ full match report they insisted that England, who were defeated by Spain in the final of the women’s World Cup two years ago, ‘robbed’ their Iberian opponents.
‘The dream ends in a nightmare,’ they added. ‘Spain lost the European Championship on penalties. England tied a match that Spain largely dominated.
‘History is made by victories, and also by defeats. Spain fell in the Euro Cup final but left its name sealed in gold. England robbed them of their dream; the world champions couldn’t close the circle they began to write two years ago in Sydney.
‘They couldn’t have been crueler in the penalty shootout, tossing a few dice in the air.’
